COMELEC TO AFP, PNP: KNOW THE CANDIDATES

Among other things, a poll official said they should know whether or not the candidates are law abiding, and if they are good or bad public servants

Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Jerome Brillantes has asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to familiarize themselves with the personalities running in the May elections.

Brillantes said they have to know who the candidates are and be familiar with their background and their private and public life, as well as those of their supporters.

“Did these candidates and their supporters commit violence in the past elections? Are they law-abiding citizens? Are they good or bad public servants? If we know them, the more we can decide intelligently how to classify their areas,” he said.

Officials of Comelec, PNP and AFP are in the process of classi- fying the localities into categories to determine whether they would require additional police or military deployment during the elections.

In localities where sightings of armed groups were reported, Brillantes said they will be careful with their classification even if some local officials ask that their towns be placed under Comelec control.

He said they cannot place any city or municipality under Comelec control without proper validation because it can affect the economy and tourism.

Brillantes said that while they cannot predict what will happen in a particular town or city, the PNP and the AFP can help Comelec maintain peace and order without taking full control of the place.

As for the violent incidents in Tuburan and San Fernando towns in the past, it is peaceful in these areas at present and additional policemen have been deployed there, the Comelec official said.

Did these candidates and their supporters commit violence in past elections? If we know them, the more we can decide intelligently how to classify their areas. JEROME BRILLANTES